Hands-on lightning review of Apple's new EarPods

Let's face it -- in-box earbuds have never been anything to write home about. Frankly, they usually suck. Even for as iconic as Apple's white earbuds have become since the release of the first iPod -- they still sucked. They were uncomfortable. They didn't sound good. Even the slightly better Apple In-Ear Headphones, with their rubberized tips, weren't a whole lot better.

That all changes today.

We could rave all day over the improvements Apple's made to your too-often overlooked ear holes. But, really, selling you on these $29 wonders won't take nearly that long.

The fit

Whereas the original Apple Earphones felt (for me, anyway) like some sort of crude torture device, the EarPods are wonderfully benign. The anterior gracefully curves into the stem, which leads to the cables, while the posterior is flat. They earpods definitely have a futuristic look to them. The oval grilles add to that effect.

The EarPods are hard plastic, so you won't be getting any real noise-cancellation here. That's not surprising, but it's still worth noting. But that doesn't mean they're uncomfortable. Far from it, actually. They've got a much more natural fit. No longer do you feel like you're trying to wedge a plastic disc into your ear with the least amount of discomfort. Not to over-use the terms "comfortable" and "natural," but that's what they are.

The sound

How much do these things cost again? Because they sound good. Really good, actually. For as crappy as the old earbuds were, the EarPods sound that much better.

When was the last time you heard bass come out of a pair of apple buds? If you can't remember, it's time to spring for the EarPods. The bass comes through loud and clear. Highs are surprisingly crisp. Mids are in the middle, where they should be.

Audiophiles probably won't be happy. (Are they ever?) But on the other hand, these are sub-$50 earbuds. Hell, they're sub-$30 earbuds. If you want better sound, spend more money.

The function

EarPods are more than just mere speakers for your ear holes, of course. There's a dongle on the right-ear cable that controls volume, play/pause and call answering, with 11 functions in all. Apple says the EarPods will work with any generaetoin iPad, the iPhone 3GS and up, iPod classic (120GB and 160GB versions, iPod nano 4th generation and up, and the third-gen iPod shuffle and up.

Sirir's not forgotten, either. Press and hold the center button to activate her.

The bottom line

This is a no-brainer, folks. For $29 (sans tax or shipping) direct from Apple, anyone unhappy with the previous generation Apple EarPhones should upgrade. Anyone looking for a inexpensive and surprisingly comfortable set should get the EarPods.

Our only complaint -- and this is a small one -- is that we'd prefer just a little more length in the cable. But that's us. It'll probably be long enough for the vast majority of folks out there.

The bottom line is this: The three years Apple spent on the EarPods has paid off, and should guarantee that the little white cables remain an iconic part of personal tech for years to come.

The have you covered ... This time, they have put 2 Mic's on the Pods' one on each on the 'Buds' right below the speaker.
It makes it great for those people who sometimes use on earphone and the mic scratches somewhere and the people on the other end of the Ex: Skype call can hear it.
Also it annoys me when people put mic part in the old earphones RIGHT in-front of their mouth :)

And....you would be dead wrong. I just spoke with a Rep on Apple chat and asked where the mic(s) are on the Earpod headphones. There is only 1, and its on the remote, which hangs on the right headphone cable.

I'm a runnner, and heard the EarPods are sort of water/sweat resistant. Very happy to hear that they actually have bass, and sound good!
Now I don't have to worry, about tossing $29 out the door. I'll head to my favorite Apple Store, and grab a pair! Thanks for the review! :)

I bought a pair of the Earpods. The positive is that they do sound really good and you do get noticible base. I went back and forth between the new ones & the old ones and the new ones definitely sound much better.

The bad is that they still don't fit my ears. They might fit some people's but I still am having trouble with them being loose and/or getting ready to fall out.

I think I personally will be returning them (I bought them as a standalone product) although it's going to vary for each individual person how well they fit. Sigh. I was so looking forward to liking these. I need a recommendation for an aftermarket replacement that has the microphone/volume control features.